Noise and Traffic

Working with expert listeners

We tasked acoustic experts Marshall Day to investigate the potential for noise impacts from the proposed wharf development.

We’ve been working with Marshall Day for many years, so they’re well-acquainted with our environment and noise patterns.

They assessed noise against the New Zealand Port Noise Standard. Their report took construction noise into consideration, as well as likely changes to noise patterns as a result of the new wharf’s location. Our noise mitigation initiatives were also included in the assessment.

The report found that there will be a minor increase in noise, predominantly as a result of growth.

In summary:

The future (2026) noise contours are predicted to be generally the same shape as the current (2016) noise contours, but two decibels louder

Marshall Day found the greatest construction noise would be associated with driving in wharf piles. The predicted noise levels will meet with the daytime construction noise limits at the closest residential receivers. Noise from other activities associated with the construction works such as excavators, crane operations, truck and vessel movements would be at the lower level, and would be generally similar to the level of noise from existing port operations. You can read their full report here.

We’ll be managing construction noise through hours of work and a best practice construction noise management plan.

Noise contour maps

Keeping our roads flowing

We commissioned international engineering consultancy MWH (now called Stantec) to undertake an independent review of the impact our development could have on roading and traffic.

The traffic implications of the actual construction process are described, and the implications of the growing volume of freight.

They found that increased traffic flows during the construction phase will be well within the capability of our current roading infrastructure and intersections. See the full report here.

We’ll be working with councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency to manage traffic growth resulting from the growth of our operation.